2158. MATTOX, W. J. (Standard Oil Development Co.). [Catalytic Reduction of Carbon Monoxide With Iron Catalyst in the Fluidized State.] French Patent 978,243, Apr. 11, 1951; appl. filed Dec. 27, 1948. Chem. Zentralb., 1952, I, pp. 3273.

Catalyst particles are substantially larger than are those generally used in the synthesis of hydrocarbons and <20% of them are 0-20μ. In the synthesis a part of the Fe is transformed into Fe carbide and finer particles are simultaneously formed, which must be removed periodically for the fluidization to proceed. Before using the catalyst the greatest part of the Fe oxide is reduced to metallic Fe. In an example, the pretreatment of a hydrocarbon-synthesis catalyst, similar to an NH₃-synthesis catalyst, takes place under reducing conditions with a CO-containing gas.